Successful Newcastle Trainer
DARREN SMITH only has 47 boxes in the Newcastle region, 13 are on course and 34 at his purpose built training property at Williamtown but the lack of numbers compared to his peers doesn't stop the gifted horseman churning out the winners at a rate that big city trainers and local rivals can only dream about.
Last year being the 2011-12 season, Darren had achieved wonderful results, winning two of the most prestigious awards available. They were:
Firstly, the
NSW PROVINCIAL TRAINER OF THE YEAR - an award open to the trainer (from outside the metropolitan area), who produces the most wins on the provincial circuit.
Secondly, Darren won the most converted award of ALL amongst his peers being the
MAX LEES MEDAL (and that was his second win). An award open to
ALL TRAINERS who start a minimum of 40 runners at the Newcastle Provincial Meetings over that season and who record the
BEST STRIKE RATE of
Runners:Winners. Darren won the award in 2011/12 with a strike rate of
3.65.
This
MAX LEES MEDAL is a true sign of a trainers ability. Often the big stables can win premierships simply based upon numbers but strike rates expose the true ability of a trainer. So this is an honour that is well deserved, highly desired and is only won by the
Best of the Best.
From this lofty season, Darren has significantly improved in 2012-13.
On Saturday 27July 2013, it was the final day of the 2012/13 season at the Newcastle Jockey Club and it became a
landmark day for DARREN SMITH.
He achieved remarkable results that deserve recognition.
Darren trained
two (2) early winners from three (3) runners,
Pirandello race 1 and Nissile race 3. This winning double was an excellent feat on it own but these wins established the following results:
Firstly, Darren already had the
Newcastle Trainers Premiership wrapped up for 2012-13 before the day started, having produced 22 winners from 71 runners. However with these two winners, that brought his total up to 24 wins from 74 starts for the year. Back in second place was Gai Waterhouse with 17 wins from 53 starts.
Secondly, and importantly to Darren, by winning these two races, he defended his title by again winning the
MAX LEES MEDAL for what is now, the 3rd occasion.
Darren entered the day with a strike rate of 3.23 and had 3 runners engaged on the programme. He was in second place, trailing Gai Waterhouse who had a strike rate of 3.13 and also had 3 runners on the day. As it would unfold, the
MAX LEES MEDAL was not decided until the final race of the day (year).
With Darren training two (2) winners early, his Strike Rate improved to 3.04. Then Gai Waterhouse started two runners in race 5 of which, one of them won and her Strike Rate was now 3.06.
Darren then started his 3rd runner in race 6 which didn’t win, pushing his strike rate back out to 3.08. That was it - he was finished for the year and had to wait and watch what happened.
So, it came down to the final race where Gai Waterhouse had the well backed Oceans engaged. That horse led them up but ran out of puff at the 200m. That forced Gai's Strike Rate out to 3:12 and thus handing victory to Darren Smith with 3.08.
Thirdly, and Equally importantly, Darren wrapped up the prestigious
2012-13 NSW PROVINCIAL TRAINER OF THE YEAR Award with still one meeting remaining to be conducted at Wyong on Tuesday 30/7/13.
Darren entered Saturday with a 2 win lead over his closest rival for the title Kris Lees. The score card was 34 wins Darren Smith - 32 wins Kris Lees.
Statistically, Darren was in the box seat as he had 3 runners on the Saturday whilst Kris Lees didn't have any. With Tuesday's final meeting at Wyong showing Kris Lees only having 2 runners accepted and Darren having 4 acceptors.
The bottom line was simple, if Darren won any race over these two meetings, he would secure the title because the best Kris could achieve, with only 2 runners was a draw, that was if both his acceptors won and Darren didn't train a winner on either day.
History now shows that when Darren won race 1 at Newcastle on Saturday, the title was decided - Darren
“Won-It !”
Then in winning race 3, Darren snuck 4 wins in front for the title. With several good chances on Tuesday, he could easily add to this 36 wins total.
Darren Smith is an outstanding trainer and very much an integral part of the Dynamic Syndications Team.
I
n the past 7 years, Darren has trained 84 race wins for Dynamic Syndications.
Whilst in this 2012-13 season, Darren has trained 15 of Dynamic Syndications 56 race wins.
So, on behalf of
ALL Dynamic Syndications owners, we Congratulate DARREN SMITH and his stable team, with special acknowledgement to
Dave Dyson (Racing Manager) and Spencer Smith (Foreman) for their outstanding efforts.
Darren’s Current Season Statistics - Strike Rate 18.44% (5.42)
358 sts: 66 Wins, 59 seconds, 48 thirds & $1,780,950
Darren’s Previous Season Statistics - Strike Rate 17.49% (5.72)
323 sts: 56.5 Wins, 38 seconds, 36 thirds & $1,046,968
From the 35 more race starts in 2012-13, Darren has trained:
9.5 more winners,
21 more second placings,
12 more third placings,
$733,982 additional prizemoney.
Against his peers Kris Lees and Paul Perry at Newcastle, Darren’s statistics are worth noting:
Number of Runners (previous year) (extra runners this year)
Paul Perry 734 (615) (+119)
Kris Lees 620 (586) (+34)
Darren Smith 358 (323) (+35)
Number of More Runners Than Darren (previous year)
Paul Perry 376 (292)
Kris Lees 262 (263)
Number of Winners (Strike Rate) (# Wins at Newcastle Provincial Meetings)
Darren Smith 66 18.44% (5.42) (24)
Kris Lees 109 17.58% (5.68) (15)
Paul Perry 56 7.63% (13.11) (15)
Congratulations to All the Team at Darren Smith Racing
